Plasma illuminated game pieces

ABSTRACT

A board game whose game pieces contain a gas or mixture of gases. The gas inside the game pieces is electrically excited to illuminate the game piece. This illumination is achieved by inductive coupling the game piece to a high-voltage radio-frequency source located in or in the vicinity of the game board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to board games using a board andilluminated game pieces. The particular aspects of this invention relateto the illumination of the game pieces.

The game pieces of this invention employ design aspects, includingshape, color, and material, to suit their role according to the gamerules. Game pieces employ design aspects to facilitate visualrecognition and differentiation to designate the respective players or“sides” participating in the game through a varying visual displaywithin the game pieces.

Game pieces whose design aspects are not crucial to play of the game arefree to have these design aspects presented in any manner Expression ofthese design aspects draws interest to the game, and can be custom madeto enhance the value of a game board and the game pieces played thereon.This provides added economic value and selling price to a game over andabove a game with conventional game pieces and/or board.

Various methods for illumination of game boards and game pieces exist inthe prior art but none utilize the features of this invention whichfacilitate a changing visual image and coloration of game pieces. U.S.Pat. No. 3,579,856 discloses a game board whose game pieces areilluminated when placed over the ends of light transmitting fibersstrategically placed across the underside of a game board. U.S. Pat. No.3,854,725 discloses game pieces having incandescent lights therein thatare selectively illuminated by inserting the game piece into electricalconnections under each square of a chess board. U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,491discloses a chessboard where , instead of game pieces moving across theboard, each of the 64 regulation squares on the game board has a flush,transparent surface with a display tube thereunder whose appearance canbe changed to represent one of the six figures used in chess; pawn,rook, knight, bishop, king and queen. U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,109 describestranslucent chess pieces, each piece containing its own battery andlight wherein the light in the piece is selectively actuated by remotecontrol to indicate when the time to play that piece is close at hand.Published U.S. Patent Application 2009/0184468 dated Jul. 23, 2009discloses egg-shaped game pieces with an internal LED which is energizedby electromagnetic induction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

All of the above approaches to illuminating game pieces are largelymonochromatic and emit a steady light. By contrast, the presentinvention discloses game pieces that can emit a colored light unique toeach participant and wherein the emitted light is vibrant and can bevaried in intensity.

Briefly, the aforementioned objects of the present invention aresatisfied by providing game pieces illuminated by gas sealed within thegame pieces which is excited to a plasma state.

A further object is the generation of this illumination throughinductive coupling to a high-voltage radio-frequency source.

Another object provides for the game pieces to be constructed of clearor translucent material having the quality to contain and hold captivegas or mixture of gases to be excited electrically to a plasma state.

A further object is the freedom of motion and placement of the gamepieces, which movement is typically accompanied by a change in color andintensity of the excited plasma within the game piece.

A further object of the invention is provision of means for exciting theplasma within the game piece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a game piece prior to gas fillingand final processing;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a game piece that has been filledwith gas and is ready for use on the game board;

FIG. 3 is an example of a system used to fill game pieces with gas andseal them;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of the circuit used to excite the gas in the gamepieces;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a game board and game pieces whereinthe electrical components used for gas excitation within the game piecesare mounted inside a box-like structure with a game board integratedinto the upper surface of that structure;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a game board and game pieces whereinthe electrical components are mounted in a self contained box-likestructure unattached to the game board but located in proximity to thegame board and game pieces so as to illuminate the game pieces;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a chess board and chess pieces as anexample of how the illuminated game pieces of the invention can befreely moved anywhere on a game board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The illuminating glow of excited gas (plasma) contained within the gamepieces 1 of this invention provides a fascinating and striking visualeffect. The visual qualities of plasma produced by excitation of gases,or mixtures of gases, vary greatly. The shape of the game pieces, thegases used within the pieces and the means used to excite the gaseswithin the pieces contribute to this visual effect.

The material used in the construction of the game pieces 1 of thisinvention impacts the production and durability of the game pieces.Glass is the most effective material for this invention given its clearor translucent properties, its inert properties, its rigidity, and itsproperties as an impervious container of gas.

The process for forming the game pieces 1 can be generalized as foursteps. The first step is to form the general shape of the game piece 1,leaving a disposable tube 2 attached to the game piece as shown inFIG. 1. The second step in forming the game pieces 1 is to evacuate theair from within the game piece 1 by a vacuum pump 5 through the attacheddisposable tube 2 as shown in FIG. 3. The third step is to fill the gamepiece with a pure gas or mixture of gases from pressurized containers 3a and/or 3 b (See FIG. 3). The fourth step in producing the game piecesof this invention is to seal the gas within the game pieces by sealingthe juncture of tube 2 and game piece 1. This step will result in theseparation of the game piece 1 from the tube 2 used for evacuation andfilling This tube 2 may be discarded, leaving a sealed outer envelope 6of game piece 1 (FIG. 2).

The shape of the envelope 6 of game piece 1 can be any that isappropriate to the game for which the pieces are created such as pawn,rook, etc. used in classic chess. However, a unique aspect of thisinvention is that the shape of the game pieces' envelope 6 and the gastherein can be selectively mated to create highly attractivecombinations that enhance the game playing experiences of the game inwhich the game piece is used.

This invention has infinite application in any number of board games.The game of chess with game pieces used in that game is illustrated inthe Figures. However, any number of board games would benefit from useof the game pieces of this invention, for example, checkers, backgammonor any other board game. The game piece 1 can be formed in any shape tocomplement the rules of each board game in which it is used.

In addition to the infinite variations in/of shape and color, theexcitation of the gas within the piece can be changed/modulated to givethe appearance of movement within the piece as described in more detailbelow. This is particularly effective in low light where the pieces seemto take on an animated appearance as they are moved across the board.

The preferred gases used to fill the game pieces are neon, argon andkrypton. Other gases that produce a visible aura when excited can alsobe used, for example, a mixture of carbon dioxide and air. Neon byitself generally emits a red aura; argon a gray blue color and krypton agray/steel green color. When neon is mixed with argon it can emit ablue/red effect that borders on a light purplish color. By varyingproportions of these gases, an infinite variety of colors emitted fromthe game pieces is possible. In a preferred embodiment of the inventionthe area within envelope 6 of game pieces 1 for each player is filledwith the same gas but which is different from the other player. Thus,for example, in chess one player's game pieces would be filled with neonto emit a red glow and the other player's pieces filled with argon toemit a gray/blue color.

The gases will not actually mix as such, but rather the smallermolecules, usually neon, will migrate to the smaller areas of the gamepiece envelope 6, while larger molecules, for example argon and krypton,will spread out and monopolize the larger, open areas of the envelope.This will create multicolored displays. By designing pieces with acombination of thoughtfully created open, and more contained areas, thedisplay can be visually enhanced.

The design aspects of the game piece itself are implemented with theforemost intent to satisfy the rules of the game. Secondary designaspects of the game piece provide for aesthetics in the considerationsput towards manipulating the intricacies of plasma. Other secondarydesign aspects may be thoughtfully constructed or incidental.

For purposes of this invention, the second step, evacuation, isnecessary for two reasons. The first reason being the elimination ofatmosphere from within the game piece to facilitate a complete exchangeof ambient air for selected gas or gases. The second reason is the needto regulate the pressure within the final sealed game piece envelope tomaximize the generation of plasma discharge within the piece.

Variation in the third, gas filling, step leads to a variety of visualeffects. Gases will emit unique colors of light and mixtures of gaseswill create multicolored illuminations. These variations in color areintended to be used as features of the game piece when differentiationby color is crucial, preferred, or arbitrary. The pressure or partialpressures of the contained gases will affect the efficiency ofillumination due to subtle interactions among the gaseous molecules.

To excite the gases within game piece 1, just about any circuitproviding high frequency and high voltage for promotion of plasma fromunexcited gas can be used. The circuitry shown in FIG. 4 uses an AC toDC wall adapter to provide a low-voltage direct current. Direct currentis oscillated by oscillator 7 into radio-frequency alternating currentat low-voltage. Low-voltage radio-frequency alternating current isdirected through a transformer 8 with the output being theradio-frequency alternating current at high-voltage. The output, anelectromagnetic field, can be directed via antenna 9 to the proximity ofthe game board.

Differences in electrical circuitry, as well as antenna characteristics,will affect the efficiency of illumination. This invention relates toilluminated game pieces and any electrical circuitry capable of excitinga gas or mixture of gases contained within the sealed envelope of gamepiece 1 to a plasma state will be considered acceptable.

The illumination produced is related directly to the proximity of thegame piece to the high-voltage radio-frequency antenna 9. But, unlikethe prior art noted above, there is no direct electrical connectionbetween game piece 1 and an electrical source. Thus, the game pieces arein no way physically connected to any source of illumination and arethus free to be moved at will.

Additional flexibility of the claimed concept arises from the ability touse a single platform 10 surrounding the electrical circuitry andantenna 9 for multiple games as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this Figure agame board 12, for example a chess board, is merely placed on top of theupper surface of platform 10 to facilitate the playing of a game ofchess. If the interest of the chess players wanes, a different gameboard 12, e.g., checkers, can be substituted for the chess game boardand play can continue with illuminated game pieces, the same ordifferent from those used in the chess game. Thus a single platform 10with electronic components can be used for multiple games. Alternately agame board 14 can be integrated into the top surface of the platform 10as shown in FIG. 5. In the latter embodiment the platform 10 isnecessarily dedicated to that game.

The placements of the game pieces 1 on and near the platform 10 createsinductive coupling that precludes the necessity for exact placement ofthe game piece to obtain illumination. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 agame piece 10 is shown illuminated in a standard placement on the gameboard, considering the rules of the game, within the outlined areadefined as an individual spot for a game piece involved in game play.The piece 17 is shown illuminated on the game board but not specificallywithin an area defined as an individual spot for a piece involved ingame play. Thus, game pieces remain illuminated as long as they are ingeneral area of the game board and need not be exactly within a squareor other physical location on a game board to stay illuminated as is thecase with the prior art discussed above.

The electrical components and antenna do not have a designated preferredconfiguration. This invention provides that the game pieces will beilluminated by inductive coupling to the high-voltage radio-frequencysource. This only requires general proximity of the game pieces to theantenna 9. Any combination of the game piece, game board and antennathat produces an illuminated game piece will be considered acceptable.

An object of this invention is the high visibility of the plasmagenerating field to the field of game play providing the illumination ofgame pieces in play. The light cast by the game pieces, especially in adark surrounding, can provide a mystical aura to a game. When a playertouches the envelope 6 of game piece 1, that player acts as a groundwhich intensifies the electromagnetic field within the game piece,thereby increasing the intensity of light therein. Distance of gamepiece 1 from antenna 9 also changes the light intensity within gamepieces 1. Thus, the mere act of picking up a game piece 1 and moving itacross the game board creates an infinite number of unique visualpatterns, or glow, from the envelope of game piece 1.

The invention described herein provides for variation to all componentsof the illuminated game pieces on a game board. Variations to thecharacter of the game pieces will be easily achieved by those skilled inthe art. Variations to the circuitry integral to producing a plasmastate will be easily modified by those skilled in the art. Variation inthe choice of board game played and the configuration of all componentsrequired by this invention to produce illuminated game pieces will beeasily adjusted by those skilled in the art to suit their choice of gameand their aesthetic desires. Accordingly, all such variations areprovided for within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined bythe claim.

1. A game piece movable on, across or over a game board by a playercomprising a translucent, sealed envelope from which air has beensubstantially evacuated and replaced with a gas capable of beingexcitable to a visible plasma state wherein the envelope of the gamepiece is shaped to correspond to the shape of game pieces whichcomplement the rules of the game board on which it is to be used.
 2. Thegame piece of claim 1 wherein the gas is selected from the groupconsisting essentially of argon, neon, krypton, and combinations thereof3. The game piece of claim 1 wherein the envelope comprises glass. 4.The game piece of claim 1 wherein the envelope of the game piece isformed in the shape of a classic chess piece.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The gamepiece of claim 1 wherein the gas within the envelope is capable of beingexcited to an illuminated plasma state by an electromagnetic field. 7.The game piece of claim 6 wherein the electromagnetic field is directedto the vicinity of the game piece by an antenna.
 8. The game piece ofclaim 6 wherein the electromagnetic field is generated in an area belowthe game board and in general proximity to the game piece.
 9. The gamepiece of claim 7 wherein the visible effect of the excited plasma ischangeable by movement of the game piece relative to the position of theantenna.
 10. The game piece of claim 6 wherein the excitation of the gaswithin the envelope to a plasma state and resultant light createdthereby is intensified when a player touches the game piece.
 11. Thegame piece of claim 9 wherein the game piece remains illuminated as itmoves across the game board from one designated location to another. 12.A board game comprising a game board having a playing surface overlyinga source of electromagnetic energy, and one or more game pieces moveableon, across or over the game board comprising a translucent, sealedenvelope from which air has been substantially evacuated and replacedwith a gas capable of being excitable to a visible plasma state by thesource of electromagnetic energy.
 13. The board game of claim 12 whereinthe gas is selected from the group consisting essentially of argon,neon, krypton, and combinations thereof.